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Why is oceanic crust always subducted underneath the continental crust?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Oceanic crust subducts under continental crust because it is denser. Continental crust's density is too low for it to be forced into the mantle.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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Why oceanic crust is always subducted underneath continental crust?
Due to the higher density of the oceanic crust it is subducted underneath the continental crust.
What is a continental arc?
Is a tectonic process where two plates ( an Oceanic plate and a Continental plate) collide. In Continental Arc environments the weaker oceanic plate always sub ducts under the stronger Continental plate. Most Continental arc environments lead to Volcano formation.
These are formed when oceanic plates slide under continental plates?
When oceanic plates slide under continental plates they form subduction zones. Subduction zones always occur at convergent boundaries where one plate slides beneath another plate.
How and why does an oceanic trench form?
The earth has plates and when the earth shirfts its plates it open a trench canyon like structure. sorry if my grammer is not perfect. An oceanic trench forms when a denser plate is subducted into the Earth at a convergent plate margin. Because the denser plate (always oceanic crust) is being bent and pulled down into the mantle, a trench forms at this subduction zone.
Are rocks on the seafloor older then the continental rocks?
No. Continental rocks are much older. New sea floor is constantly being create and destroyed. At mid-ocean ridges, the sea floor spreads and magma from deeper in the Earth pushes up to create new ocean crust. At places where ocean plates contact continental plates, the ocean plate is often pushed underneath the continental plate, in a process called subduction. As the ocean plate is pushed back down into the Earth, the heat and the pressure melt it down, destroying it. Since continental plates are very rarely subducted, and, with the exception of places like Iceland where a mid-ocean ridge actually rises above sea level, generally rocks on the continent will be older.
Why oceanic crust is always subducted underneath continental crust?
Due to the higher density of the oceanic crust it is subducted underneath the continental crust.
When an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate which plate is subducted?
When an oceanic plate and a continental plate collide, the oceanic plate is always subducted. Oceanic plates are denser than continental plates, and they have a higher iron content. Since they are denser, oceanic plates always sink below the continental plate in the event of a collision.
Why is an oceanic plate always subducted but not a continental plate?
Continental plates are lighter (less dense) than oceanic plates.
Do the continental plates remain in one place?
No, both the continental and oceanic plates are always moving. Moving slowly, but always moving.
Why does oceanic rock always sink below continental rock?
subduction
Why are continental plates are made up of older rocks?
Continental Plates are made of old rocks because they are never created or destroyed. For example, when an earthquake occurs, it can be caused by one tectonic plate going underneath another. The plate that goes underneath is always an oceanic plate because the rock is of a higher density. So, in summary, continental plates are lighter than oceanic crust, so they are never destroyed (hence why they are made of old rock).
What is the difference between contiental crust and oceanic crust?
Continental crust is on top of the oceanic crust Continental crust is made of granite whereas oceanic crust is made of basalt Continental crust is partly above sea level and partly below whereas oceanic crust is always below sea level.
How does subduction effect Volcanoes?
Subduction zones involve an oceanic plate sliding beneath either a continental plateor another oceanic plate (that is, the subducted plate is always oceanic while the subducting plate may or may not be oceanic). Subduction zones are often noted for their high rates of volcanism, earthquakes, and mountain building. This is because subduction processes result in melt of the mantle that produces a volcanic arc as relatively lighter rock is forcibly submerged.
What is likely to occur at a plate boundary where the oceanic crust collides with the continental crust?
The oceanic plate is made of denser (and thinner) rock than the continental crust, so the oceanic plate gets subducted (pushed underneath) where it descends and gets melted by geothermal heat.
What is a continental arc?
Is a tectonic process where two plates ( an Oceanic plate and a Continental plate) collide. In Continental Arc environments the weaker oceanic plate always sub ducts under the stronger Continental plate. Most Continental arc environments lead to Volcano formation.
Convergent boundary with no subduction?
A convergent boundary with no subduction is a continental-continental boundary. Because oceanic crust is denser than continental crust, it is always the subducting plate in a oceanic-continental boundary. In an oceanic-oceanic boundary, one of the plates will subduct, depending on several factors. Continental plates are thicker and less dense than oceanic plates, and when they converge, they push up the area where the plates meet, forming mountain ranges (note that this is not the only, or even the predominant, method of mountain formation). The Himalayas are being formed as a result of a continental-continental boundary.
Why is oceanic plate denser than continental plate?
Oceanic plates are primarily made up of basaltic rock while continental plates are primarily made of granitic rock. Basalt is denser than granite which allows oceanic plates to subduct beneath continental plates.
